When I first enrolled in the Insurance Leadership Development Programme (ILDP) Henley’s Advanced Certificate in Management Practice, I expected to learn new frameworks, sharpen my strategic thinking, and add another qualification to my professional journey. What I did not anticipate was just how profoundly this experience would reshape the way I see leadership, the industry I work in, and myself.
A Journey More Impactful Than I Imagined
From the very first block, it became clear that this programme was not simply about absorbing theory. It was about being challenged; to question assumptions I had carried for years, to sit with discomfort, and to grow through honest self-reflection. The academic meticulousness of Henley’s approach, paired with real-world application through our Action Learning Project, meant that every concept we studied was immediately tested against the realities of our own organisations and the broader insurance industry. That tension between theory and practice has been, without question, the most transformative part of the journey. I have left every module with something practical to apply on Monday morning, and something personal to sit with long after.
Remarkable People, Remarkable Lessons
If the content has shaped my thinking, the people have shaped my heart. I have had the privilege of learning alongside an extraordinary group of leaders who bring not only deep technical expertise but also generosity, humility, and a genuine willingness to be vulnerable in front of peers. I have watched emerging leaders offer insights that challenged the room in the best possible way. These are not just classmates; they have become a community of trusted thinking partners, and in many cases, friends. Their stories, their honesty, and their encouragement have added a richness to this programme that no textbook could ever provide.
Collaboration Across an Entire Industry
What has struck me most is the remarkable breadth of the insurance industry represented in this cohort. Within the same room (often virtually) and across breakout groups, delegates range from small brokerages to specialist insurers and support companies, alongside representatives from some of the largest players in the market. At first glance, these may seem like very different worlds, yet their perspectives converge to enrich the programme. What has become clear is that, despite the diversity of organisations represented, the challenges we face as leaders are strikingly similar: building trust, navigating change, developing talent, and ultimately serving the people who rely on our industry. Listening to how a small broker consultant manages resource constraints alongside how a major insurer addresses complex governance has broadened my perspective immeasurably. This cross-pollination of ideas, born purely out of the diversity in the room, has been one of the unexpected gifts of the programme. It has reminded me that leadership development is strongest when it is not confined to silos, but opened up across an entire industry.
Looking Ahead
As I continue through this programme, I carry with me a deeper appreciation for systems thinking, a stronger sense of my own leadership identity, and an expanded network of remarkable people across the insurance landscape. The Henley ILDP has been far more than a certificate in progress, it has been a genuine journey of growth, connection, and renewed purpose. I am grateful for the experience, and I look forward to where the rest of this journey will take me.
2026 Insurance Leadership Development Programme – Insurance Institute of Gauteng
Insurance Professional – Kunene Makopo Risk Solutions
